Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has admitted that Brazil's World Cup opener did not go as planned, but he remains confident that the team can make an impact in the tournament. The Selecao drew 1-1 with Morocco at the New Jersey New York Stadium, with Guimaraes playing 85 minutes in a midfield battle that saw his partner Casemiro substituted at half-time.
Match Performance
Brazil looked second best for long spells before Vinicius Jr equalised with a brilliant strike just before half-time. Guimaraes provided the assist for the goal, receiving praise from Brazilian publication Globo, which rated him 7/10, second only to Vinicius Jr's 7.5/10. They noted his early block, good passes, and assist, but also mentioned mistakes and fatigue towards the end.
Guimaraes' Reaction
After the match, Guimaraes took to social media, describing it as a "tough match and complicated debut." He expressed conviction in the team's work and looked forward to evolution. Alan Shearer had called Brazil's display "ragged," but Guimaraes remains positive.
In an interview with the club site, he said: "I have been training all my life to live this moment. It's the biggest thing ever in our country. Everyone is obsessed with the World Cup." He acknowledged the pressure but emphasised his desire to give everything.
Upcoming Matches
Brazil next face Haiti on Saturday in Group C. Guimaraes is likely to start again, and he admitted to feeling a mix of nerves, anxiety, and excitement before games. He said: "You have something in your stomach that you're like wow, I was made for it. I feel the same every time I go on to the pitch and I don't want to lose that."
The Newcastle skipper is determined to enjoy the moment and run for everyone in his country, confident that the team will improve as the tournament progresses.
